Selectmen: Now Is The Time To Rebuke Casino

It's been a few months since casino developer David Nunes has been in the news, but late last month he reportedly told the Milford Town Administrator that he would have a proposal to the town's selectmen before the end of the year.

Last night the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen discussed what they need to do to make sure a casino is not put in nearby.

Selectmen in Hopkinton are proactively working to make sure the casino doesn't happen because they feel it would negatively impact the quality of life Hopkinton residents require.

"I don't like it and I don't want it," Selectmen John Mosher said. "I'm not going to change my mind."

Their discussion last night centered around the money the developer must give to towns neighboring the proposed host town. 

"There is simply no way we should enter in to a conversation or negotiation with the developer," Chairman Ben Palleiko said. "By entering in to any sort of negotiation with the developer it implies that you aren't fundamentally opposed to it."

Nunes will need to submit his plan to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission before Jan. 15 if he wants to continue talking to Milford and the surrounding communities about the Crossroads casino proposal.

"We, as a community close to a proposed site, should fight this with all our might," Selectman Brian Herr said. "Not just for our good but for the good of our future and of the commonwealth."

According to town manager Norman Khumalo, the developer would need to give $50,000 to each surrounding town to conduct studies to determine the impacts of the casino, however that won't be until after the state approves the casino for the site.

"It's time to get involved and it's time get active," Palleiko said.

Town officials said they will keep a close eye on the activity and are discussing working with other local towns to gather energy against the casino.